Vanity box



y 30, 1 M. F. P. MURRAY 2,009,561

VANITY BOX Filed Nov. 18, 1931 s Sheets-Sheet 1 gmwmtoc May .Fi-ancesPowell Murray a, wmwm July 30, 1935. M. F. P. MURRAY ,5

VANITY 59x g Y 1 Filed Nov. 18, 1931 1 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 wwmmw Patented July 30, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 1 Claim.

mobiles, particularly at night and in other places where the lighting is not properly arranged for such use. In the case of the automobile, the use of a bright light within, would, at night cause confusion to the operator.

The primary object of this invention is the provision of an improved vanity box having an illuminating device to illuminate the features of l the user.

Another object of the invention is to provide a hand vanity box which has an electric light supplied by current either from a battery within itself or from a source of supply conducted to it by wires and supplied by current from either the automobile battery or a dry cell battery concealed in any appropriate place.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a vanity box having a mirror cover with recesses to receive cosmetics and a light provided with a reflecting surface to throw the greater part of its light away from the mirror and into the face of the user while the cosmetics in the recesses are being used.

Another object of the invention is the provi sion of a vanity box having a mirror on the lid, recesses for cosmetics, an electric light to illuminate the face of the user and means operated by the lid to close the circuit to the lamp when the lid is opened to expose the mirror and to open the circuit when the lid is closed.

Another and further object of this invention is the provision of a vanity box having an electric lamp, space for cosmetics, a mirror, the parts being so placed as to provide an'unobstructed path for the light to the face of the user.

Another and still further object of this invention is the provision of a vanity box having an electric light, spaces for cosmetics, a mirror, provision for reversing the position of the electric light for right and left handed users.

Other and further objects of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from a reading of the complete specification and claim.

Referring to the drawings wherein I have illustrated two embodiments of my invention, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a preferred form of my invention.

Figure 2 is a cross section on the line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a diagrammatic view of the wiring for the light and connector.

Figure 4 is a perspective view from above of a modified form of my invention. Figure 5 is a cross sectional view on the line 5-5 of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is'a perspective view of a modification. 5

Figures 7 and 8 are sectional views on the line 1-! of Figure 6 in closed and open positions, respectively.

Figures 9 and 10 are perspective views of another modification. 0

Figure 11 is a sectional view on the line llll of Figure 10. I

In the drawings, the same or similar characters refer to the same or similar parts throughout the views. 15

Referring particularly to Figures 1 to 3, l0 designates the body portion of the vanity box which is made of a convenient size to be held in the hand or to be carried in a lady's pocket book or in the pocket of an automobile body.

Due to the fact that ladies in using vanity boxes. may andfrequently do wish to use the box, where proper lighting is not available, as in the evening while traveling in an automobile; I have provided a light in the shape of the electric lamp II. This electric lamp is provided with a suitable reflecting surface of paint, nickel or silver, so located as to reflect light from the lamp I l onto the face of the user and preferably so that practically a very little, if any, light will be sent toward the mirror l2 which is preferably located on the lid i3. Such a reflecting surface is illustrated as located on a reflector M of suitable shape and proportions as to be located in a recess in the box ID. This is illustrated in Figures 1 and 2. To furnish a source of electrical energy, I providetwo means. A socket l5is provided for connection to a plug l 5 which may be connected to a dry cell concealed in any appropriate place or it may be connected to the storage battery of an automobile. In addition, I provide in an adjacent recess, clips I6, l'l secured to the end recess walls in position to resiliently hold small dry cells l8 in place, to supply the electric current in case the user does not desire to use the connector l5 and plug l5, as when the vanity box is carried in a hand bag Referring particularly to Figure 3 where the diagrammatic showing of wiring isfillustrated, it will be seen that when using the dry cells for a source of current, the current will pass from the hand switch I9 through the lamp II to the clip I! through the cells l8, the clip I 6 to the switch to the switch IS. The switch 20 is illustrated as being open in Figure 3. The switch arm 20 is resilient and is moved by the lid |3 to and from the contact member 20. When the lid is raised the contact member 20 reaches the contact member 20 and closes the circuit. When the lid is closed, the circuit is opened. This insures that the light will be extinguished when the lid is closed. Suitable means should be provided to stop the lid from going too far to the rear.

To provide for the cosmetics one or more recesses should be provided. As illustrated, I have shown a long narrow recess 2| as for the lipstick and recesses 22, 23, 24 as for powder, rouge and cleaning cloth, respectively.

In use, the lighting feature could be made inoperative, as by operation of the switch I9 illustrated on the side of the recess containing the lamp, as illustrated in Figure 2.

In the form shown in Figures 4 and 5, a slightly different arrangement is illustrated. The lamp IN is shown in the rear recess of the vanity box body H0. The mirror 2 is mounted in the lid 3.

The pivoted reflector ||4 carries the lamp III and is so arranged that when it is moved to the position shown in Figure 4, contact with the battery will be established to light the lamp and throw out the light, to illuminate .the face of the user.

At the end of the body portion H0, there is a recess to receive the lip stick |2| and in the forward part of the body portion are located two recesses |22, |23, as to receive powder and rouge.

In Figure 5 is illustrated the position assumed by the battery and reflector. This insures the throwing of the light in the proper direction to illuminate the face of the user.

Preferably, I provide a cover IS in the device illustrated in Figures 1 to 3. This cover encloses the dry cells or closes the dry cell recess in case the dry cells are not used. This cover l8- furnishes a convenient rest for the left thumb while the right hand is being used to apply the cosmetics.

Referring now to Figures 6, '7, and 8, 2 I0 designates the body portion of a vanity box of slightly different construction from those already described. At the rear of the vanity box body 2 I 0, is hinged a cover member 2 having a mirror 2|2 therein. The forward face of the main body 2||l of the vanity box, is lower than the opposite rear face which I have designated 2||l and the forward faces 2H1. In the same way, the rear face 2| I of the cover has a less height than the height of the forward face 2| l of the cover.

In Figure 7, it will be noted that the main body 2|0 and its cover 2 are complementary to each other and form a position of uniform thickness as shown by the dotted lines H3 in Figure 8 and by the cross section shown in Figure 7. At the rear of the box is located a compartment over which is a cover 2. This cover is hinged at its rear edge as shown at 2".

Withing this compartment is placed an electric light unit 2|5 which is upon the market and which has a mirrored lid 2|6, which lid carries a light 2|1. This light 2|'| is controlled by an interior switch which is operated by the pivotal movement of the lid 2 Hi. When the lid is opened to expose the light 2H, the switch is operated to place the lamp in electrical connection with the battery within the light unit 2 l 5.

It will be noted that the lid 2 It may be placed in an entirely closed position and in this position the movement in opening or closing the cover 2| i will have no effect whatever upon the lighting circuit. These would be the conditions for use of the device in the daytime where plenty of light was expected to be available.

In order, however, to make the device suitable for intermittent use in places where the lights are not so bright, as an automobile, I have provided a connection to the light in the form of a projection 2|8 which extends to a. point where it will engage the lid 2|6 if the latter is opened. The projection is so shaped that when the lid is opened no contact between the projection 2|8 and 2|6 will be made. When, however, the cover 2 is closed then the projection 2|! will move the lid 2| 6 in a closing direction for a short distance. This distance is sufficient to open the switch to the electric light 2| 1 and cause the same to be disconnected from its battery.

The resultant action is that the cover 2 will open the circuit of the electric light when it is closed and will close the circuit when the cover 2| is opened. In this way a light is always provided w when needed and no light is provided when none" is needed.

It will be noted that there is an unobstructed path between the light 2H and the face of the user as shown in Figure 6.

At the right of this unobstructed path in the modification shown in Figure 6, I have illustrated two compartments, 2|! and 220 in which are the pads 2|9 and 220. These compartments and pads are for the use of different kinds of cosmetics, as for example powder and rouge, respectively.

Referring now to Figures 9, l0 and 11, in which is illustrated another embodiment, 3H! and 3H designate respectively, the main body and cover of the vanity box having a mirror 3|2 in the cover. The shapes of the main body Ill and its cover 3| l are preferably similar to the corresponding parts H0 and 2 of Figure 6 and are complementary to each other.

The modification shown in Figures 9, 10 and 11 have several important features not illustrated in the other modifications. The forward portion of the box is divided into two sections, 3 and 3 5, these sections being for the reception of small pans of cosmestics such as are available on the market and which are known as refills.

These pans are held in place by outer guides (H6 and 3" and by inner guides Ill and 3".

To hold the electric light unit 320 in place, I have provided a cover 32|, which cover "I is preferably resilient and held in place by inserting its lower front end 32 I under the guides 3|! and 3| 9 and then by snapping its upper rear edge 32| underneath the hinge 3H1, which hinge pivots the cover 3 to the main body 3|0. The electric light unit 320, is provided with a light member 320 and a lid 32D which operates in a manner similar to the light 3|! and the lid 2| already described. At the upper edge of the forward face of the main body 3|||, is hinged at 322 a cover member 323. This cover member 323 acts as a protector for the cosmetics which are shown at 3 and 3 l5. Pads 325 and 328 are illustrated above the cosmetics and are held in place by the cover member 323. It will be also noted that the guides 3|6, 3|8 and 3H, 3H are so arranged that they may hold the pads 32! and 323 under their edges to prevent accidental dropping of the same when the cover member 323 is opened.

On the top of the cover member 323 may be placed a holder 32! or such form and shape as to receive a lip-stick holder 32!.

By comparison of Figure 9 and Figure 10, it will be noted that the electric light unit 320 is placed in oppositely disposed positions in the two figures.

In Figure 9, the arrangement is for a righthanded user, the box being held open and in position to be used and in the left hand. In Figure 10 the arrangement is for holding in the right hand as would be useful for a left-handed user.

On the upper side of the cover member 323 may be placed a comb to be held in place by the clips 329. This comb is shown in dotted lines and is designated 330.

At the rear inner face of the cover I are placed two small clips "I. These clips "I are of a shape to receive a projecting operating finger 332. There is only one operating finger for each vanity box, this operating finger being attached to the clip 3H adjacent the end occupied by the lid end of the lighting unit 320. When in place, it operates in a manner similarly to the operating finger 3|! already described.

85 The foregoing description makes it clear that I have provided a vanity box which carries its own means for illumination of the face and which has its own mirror which is adjustable relatively to the illuminating light with the cosmetics oompartments conveniently arranged for immediate use.

While details of the invention are shown and described, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the details disclosed and that modifications and changes may be made without departing from the spirit of the inven tion and within the scope of the appended claim.

Having described my invention what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

A hand vanity box comprising a body portion, a lid, a mirror on the lid, an elongated removable electric light and battery unit having a light source and cooperating reflector at one end thereof, means in the body portion adapted to support the unit transversely of the body Portion with the light source and reflector at either side of the box, whereby the assembly is adapted for either a right or left handed user.

MAY FRANCES POWELL MURRAY. 

